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Mechanical Design Solutions for Wind Resistant Microphone Ports

Sannar, Hedvig LU and Hagman, Erik LU (2021) MMKM10 20211
Innovation
Abstract
This project’s objective was to gather knowledge of ways to mechanically increase
speech intelligibility and decrease wind noise through the design of microphone
ports. The project focused on ports that would be applied in outdoor intercom
products.

The project used experimental testing through the development method Robust
Design to investigate different parameters that could be changed in a microphone
port. This was done to further understand how changes of the parameters could give
the microphone the best chances of producing high speech clarity when challenged
by wind. A total of 18 port designs were tested through the human-centered method
of speech-in-noise testing to evaluate the generated speech intelligibility... (More)
This project’s objective was to gather knowledge of ways to mechanically increase
speech intelligibility and decrease wind noise through the design of microphone
ports. The project focused on ports that would be applied in outdoor intercom
products.

The project used experimental testing through the development method Robust
Design to investigate different parameters that could be changed in a microphone
port. This was done to further understand how changes of the parameters could give
the microphone the best chances of producing high speech clarity when challenged
by wind. A total of 18 port designs were tested through the human-centered method
of speech-in-noise testing to evaluate the generated speech intelligibility of the
ports. The designs were tested in several different noise setups to evaluate their
ability to yield good speech clarity regardless of the mounting of the product or
changes in wind direction.

The iterative development process, conducted in two cycles, was able to conclude
that conically shaped ports with a length of 20 mm produced the highest voice clarity in a varying and challenging wind environment. The ports could be positioned both facing forward and downward under the condition that a forward-facing port would need a mesh or foam windscreen added in the port for desirable performance. The project was also able to conclude that the phenomenon of destructive interference could have a significant impact on the performance of a microphone and should always be considered in the placement of a port. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Sannar, Hedvig LU and Hagman, Erik LU
supervisor
organization
alternative title
A product development project investigating important factors of microphone ports for increased speech intelligibility when exposed to wind.
course
MMKM10 20211
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Microphone port, wind noise, Robust Design, speech-in-noise testing, noise reduction, mechanical engineering
language
English
id
9052862
date added to LUP
2021-06-11 10:26:37
date last changed
2021-06-11 10:26:37
@misc{9052862,
  abstract     = {{This project’s objective was to gather knowledge of ways to mechanically increase 
speech intelligibility and decrease wind noise through the design of microphone 
ports. The project focused on ports that would be applied in outdoor intercom 
products.

The project used experimental testing through the development method Robust 
Design to investigate different parameters that could be changed in a microphone 
port. This was done to further understand how changes of the parameters could give 
the microphone the best chances of producing high speech clarity when challenged 
by wind. A total of 18 port designs were tested through the human-centered method 
of speech-in-noise testing to evaluate the generated speech intelligibility of the 
ports. The designs were tested in several different noise setups to evaluate their 
ability to yield good speech clarity regardless of the mounting of the product or 
changes in wind direction.

The iterative development process, conducted in two cycles, was able to conclude 
that conically shaped ports with a length of 20 mm produced the highest voice clarity in a varying and challenging wind environment. The ports could be positioned both facing forward and downward under the condition that a forward-facing port would need a mesh or foam windscreen added in the port for desirable performance. The project was also able to conclude that the phenomenon of destructive interference could have a significant impact on the performance of a microphone and should always be considered in the placement of a port.}},
  author       = {{Sannar, Hedvig and Hagman, Erik}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Mechanical Design Solutions for Wind Resistant Microphone Ports}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}